It’s one of those questions that feels almost taboo to ask out loud: where in the world actually wants Americans right now? The answer is more complicated than a simple map could show. Some destinations roll out the red carpet with generous visa programs and warm locals. Others slam the door – sometimes out of geopolitical hostility, sometimes out of sheer over-tourism fatigue, and sometimes because the law literally forbids it.
As of October 2025, around nine million Americans are expats living in other countries. That’s a staggering number, and it keeps growing. A Gallup poll found that roughly one in five Americans say they would like to move abroad permanently, with one of the most common reasons being lower confidence in U.S. institutions. The world is shifting fast, and Americans are paying attention. Let’s dive in.
1. Portugal – The Darling of American Expats
Honestly, if you’ve spent any time in expat circles lately, Portugal comes up constantly. It’s almost become a cliché – but there’s a reason for that. Portugal is a top choice for American travelers, with over a million U.S. visitors in the first half of 2024 alone, and it was ranked number one in the 2025 Global Retirement Report by the Global Intelligence Unit.
In late 2022, Portugal launched a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers, alongside its popular D7 visa for those with passive income. The income requirement is reasonable at about €2,800 per month for the D8, and successful applicants gain residency with a path to EU-wide travel, healthcare access, and even citizenship after five years.
Positioned right next to Spain at Europe’s western tip, Portugal blends ample greenery and beaches with excellent healthcare and a cost of living roughly 30% less than that of the U.S. The Portuguese people are known for their friendliness and warmth, with many speaking at least rudimentary English. Think of it as getting a European lifestyle without the European price tag. Not bad at all.
2. Spain – Sun, Culture, and a Growing Expat Scene
Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Bilbao all boast large English-speaking expat communities, while the coastal city of Valencia is quickly gaining traction as a coveted spot – it ranked first in InterNations’ 2024 Quality of Life Index, and also topped the annual index by Live and Invest Overseas for 2024.
Spain offers a digital nomad visa and an entrepreneur visa. In November 2024, the Spanish government also announced significant changes to its immigration program, including extending its “job-seeking visa” from three months to a full year. That kind of flexibility is genuinely hard to find elsewhere in Europe.
Spain offers a vibrant culture, pleasant climate, and relatively low cost of living, making it an attractive destination for American expats. Cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia boast large English-speaking communities and rich cultural scenes. Spain’s universal healthcare system is highly regarded, and the country’s relaxed lifestyle appeals to many.
3. Panama – The Underrated Americas Gem
Most people overlook Panama because they can’t get past thinking about the canal. That’s a mistake. This Central American country is located just a few hours from the United States by plane and offers a tropical environment with a mild climate. The cost of living is much lower than in the U.S., and Panama’s quality of life and level of human development are among the highest in Central America. Healthcare is excellent, the economy is strong, and both native Panamanians and the sizable expat community are known for their welcoming natures.
The official language of Panama is Spanish, and the country’s monetary system uses U.S. dollars and coins as well as Panamanian balboa coins. Using dollars makes the transition almost seamless for Americans used to their home currency.
Panama is a tax haven for U.S. expats because it only taxes income earned within its borders. So if you’re still earning money from a job in the U.S. or investing overseas, Panama won’t charge you income tax on that money. That’s a massive financial advantage that many Americans haven’t fully woken up to yet.
4. Costa Rica – Pura Vida Is More Than a Slogan
Costa Rica embraces the “pura vida” philosophy and is renowned for its natural beauty and friendly locals. The country offers a straightforward residency program, affordable healthcare, and a stable democracy. Expats can enjoy diverse landscapes from beaches to rainforests, and a variety of outdoor activities like surfing and hiking. The laid-back lifestyle and welcoming communities make it an appealing choice for those seeking a slower pace of life.
As a U.S. citizen, you can enter Costa Rica without applying for a visa in advance and stay for up to 180 days. This is a popular starting point for many Americans who want to explore the country before committing to a more permanent move.
With a cost of living 30 to 50% lower than major U.S. cities, most couples live comfortably on $2,000 to $3,000 per month. Costa Rica also exempts foreign-sourced income from taxes once you are a resident there, meaning if you continue earning in the U.S., your U.S. income is basically tax-free. That combination of affordability, tax efficiency, and lifestyle is genuinely hard to beat.
5. Germany – A Multicultural Powerhouse That Wants Skilled Americans
Germany doesn’t always top the “dream expat destination” lists, but it probably should. According to the United Nations, Germany is home to nearly 16 million immigrants as of 2024, more than any country in the world other than the United States. This multicultural environment has created a society that appreciates diversity and welcomes international visitors.
Germany is very welcoming to Americans specifically. Over half of the population speaks English, and approximately 110,000 Americans already reside in the country. Cities like Berlin boast business opportunities, a low cost of living, and a thriving nightlife.
Cities like Berlin feature a straightforward relocation process, with getting a three-month visa being easy and permanently relocating being manageable. Germans often go out of their way to help American visitors navigate their country and culture. It’s efficient, structured, and surprisingly warm once you get past the stereotype.
6. Ireland – An English-Speaking Homecoming
Here’s a number that stopped me in my tracks. In 2024, a record 31,825 Americans applied for Irish citizenship, a 10% jump from the year before. Applications surged especially after the 2024 U.S. election, with many citing political turbulence at home as a motivation.
Ireland’s appeal is multi-fold: it’s an English-speaking, stable democracy with a booming tech economy, with big U.S. companies having headquarters in Dublin. It regularly ranks among the top countries for quality of life, and for Americans of Irish descent there’s an emotional pull too – a sense of returning to roots.
North America has become increasingly important to Ireland’s tourism economy, with North American tourists up 11% compared to May 2024. The Irish have always maintained a special connection with Americans, largely rooted in shared history and the millions of Irish-Americans who call the United States home. Ireland is widely known for its warm, hospitable welcome. Whether you’re exploring the rugged coastlines of Connemara or enjoying a pint in a Dublin pub, locals genuinely enjoy sharing their culture with American visitors.
7. Japan – Surprising Warmth and Record American Arrivals
Japan might seem like an unlikely entry on a “welcoming” list, given its language barrier and cultural complexity. Let’s be real though – the data tells a very different story. In March 2025, Japan saw a record-breaking surge in tourism, with over three million foreign visitors, driven by strong arrivals from the U.S., marking the fastest pace of growth in Japan’s tourism history.
Japanese hospitality, known as “omotenashi,” extends exceptional service to all visitors, but Americans often find themselves the subject of genuine curiosity and warmth from locals eager to practice English and learn about American life. That’s a rare and genuinely charming dynamic you won’t find everywhere.
The weak yen has made Japan significantly more affordable for dollar-carrying Americans in recent years, which only adds to its appeal. From Tokyo’s electric energy to the quiet temple towns of Kyoto, Japan rewards respectful visitors enormously. The cultural barrier is real, but it’s one of the most enriching things about being there.
8. Malta – Europe’s Best-Kept Secret for American Expats
Nearly 15% of this Mediterranean island country’s residents are expats, and because the British once ruled Malta, English is one of the country’s national languages. Opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, scuba diving, and other water activities are plentiful, and the culture offers a unique mix of British, Italian, and Arabian influences.
Malta is the kind of place that sounds made up until you actually go there. Ancient stone fortresses, crystal-clear water, and an English-speaking population – it almost feels like someone designed it specifically for Americans looking to relocate to Europe. The cost of living in Malta is comparable in many ways to the U.S., which makes the leap less financially jarring than moving to, say, London or Paris.
The island is tiny – you can drive across it in under an hour – which creates an oddly close-knit community feel, especially among expats. It’s also an EU member state, meaning residency there opens doors to broader European travel and access. For a country that small, its footprint for American expats is surprisingly large.
9. Thailand – Affordable, Beautiful, and Genuinely Hospitable
Thailand’s tourism sector stormed back in 2024, welcoming tens of millions of international visitors, representing a massive jump from 28.2 million in 2023 and positioning Thailand once again among Asia’s tourism giants. Thailand is the 8th most popular tourist destination in the world, receiving 35 million tourists in 2024.
Thailand has long been favored by expats for its affordability, tropical beauty, and warm hospitality. In Bangkok, one-bedroom apartments rent for about $654 per month. The healthcare system is both accessible and affordable, and the country ranks high for quality of life. Life here includes exploring lively night markets, visiting temples, and taking weekend trips to islands, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience.
It’s worth noting that Thailand has tightened its visa rules in recent years. The era of Thailand as a default residence for serial tourists and remote workers is changing. The familiar “visa run” is being systematically dismantled, and the new government is cracking down on immigration enforcement, shifting toward a more controlled model of tourism. So plan properly – a little homework goes a long way here.
1. North Korea – Legally Off-Limits
Americans cannot travel to North Korea. It is the only country where U.S. law prohibits using an American passport. That’s not a travel advisory or a recommendation – it’s an actual legal prohibition. The U.S. Department of State enacted the restriction in September 2017 after Otto Warmbier’s death.
With no formal diplomatic relations and a history of hostility, North Korea’s stance towards the U.S. is unequivocally negative. The regime’s propaganda often portrays America as the primary adversary. This is not a destination where cultural curiosity can override legal reality.
North Korea’s danger to Americans is not about violent clashes or rampant crime, but due to the extreme risk of wrongful detention. American tourists have been arrested and imprisoned for trivial or fabricated offenses. The case of Otto Warmbier remains a sobering reminder of just how severe the consequences can be.
2. Iran – Geopolitical Hostility at Its Starkest
Iran’s hostility to the United States government is no news. The threat also extends to individual Americans who may become pawns in the struggle between the two countries. U.S. citizens in Iran have been kidnapped, detained, or arrested on false charges. Dual-national American-Iranians are particularly at risk.
Iran is one of the United States’ staunch geopolitical adversaries, and the Trump administration has declared the country a state sponsor of terrorism. Iran’s addition to the travel ban list comes as the United States is enmeshed in a tense diplomatic back-and-forth over Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities. The country is not considered a safe place for many civilians, with the United Nations recording a surge in the use of the death penalty in recent years.
Some places, like Russia and Iran, require that Americans acquire a visa prior to entering the country. But in Iran’s case, that visa is nearly impossible to obtain given the current diplomatic freeze. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Iran – its highest warning. The combination of legal barriers, active hostility, and real detention risk makes Iran one of the most genuinely dangerous destinations on earth for American passport holders.
3. Russia – A Door Firmly Closed
The U.S. has issued Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warnings for Russia, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Libya, and North Korea, expanding advisories for 2025 and 2026. Russia sits firmly at the top of that list. The State Department categorically advises Americans not to travel to Russia due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, visiting Russia is pretty much off the board for Americans. Even before this conflict, Americans often needed to jump through many hoops to cross the border. The current situation has made those hoops essentially impassable for most U.S. citizens.
Level 4 countries include Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, South Sudan, Sudan, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Russia, Belarus, Iran, North Korea, Iraq, Lebanon, Myanmar, and Venezuela. Russia’s presence on that list is not a technicality. The risks of wrongful detention, asset seizure, and being caught in active military conflict zones are all very real concerns for any American who considers the journey.
4. Venezuela – Political Chaos and Rising Danger
Venezuela, despite its natural beauty and cultural allure, is one of the most dangerous countries due to rampant crime and political instability. Armed robbery, carjacking, and kidnappings are common, and the judicial system rarely prosecutes criminals.
Since the re-election of President Nicolás Maduro in July 2024, civil unrest has only escalated. Violent demonstrations, killings, and mass arrests have made Venezuela a no-go for American tourists, with little hope for improvement in the near future.
The relationship between the U.S. and Venezuelan governments has been openly hostile for years, and ordinary Americans traveling there get caught in the crossfire of that diplomatic tension. There is minimal U.S. consular support available on the ground. It’s a country of extraordinary natural wealth and devastated human conditions – a genuinely heartbreaking situation, but one that makes any American visit an unacceptable risk right now.
5. France – Technically Open, Culturally Frosty
France is a complicated case. Americans can absolutely visit legally – nobody is arrested at the border. Still, the cultural reception has grown notably cooler. France leads the pack when Europeans call their own country unwelcoming to American visitors. A 2025 Upgraded Points survey found 15% of French respondents admitting Americans aren’t always wanted, fueled by perceptions of loudness and entitlement. U.S. favorability there plunged 33 points by early 2025, linking to trade disputes and politics.
France tops the list of European countries that are unwelcoming to Americans – something that probably doesn’t come as a shock, with 47% of Americans feeling the French have an unfavorable opinion of them.
Americans get a bad reputation abroad for being loud, arrogant, and rude, according to Europeans queried in a recent survey. A large majority of Europeans think Americans are too loud (roughly two-thirds), and a majority think Americans expect everyone to speak English. France is essentially the epicenter of that friction. It’s hard to say for sure whether this ever improves, but for now, the cultural chill is real – even if the Eiffel Tower still looks spectacular.
The world is vast, and the reception Americans receive in any given country reflects history, politics, local culture, and often just the behavior of previous tourists who came before you. Nine countries are genuinely rolling out the welcome mat right now, with real legal frameworks, affordable living, and warm locals to back it up. Five others represent everything from active legal prohibition to genuine physical danger – or, in France’s case, a cultural frostiness that’s hard to ignore. What would you have guessed before reading this? Tell us in the comments.